Insect-trap.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

INSECT-TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 1906.

Applicationfiled June 11,1906. SerialNo.321.098.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. PELToN, of Hyannis, in the county of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Insect- Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to insect-traps.

It is intended particularly for use in catching flies and other insects when resting in stationary position upon the wall or ceiling of a room. This is accomplished by providing a cup or other receptacle adapted to be partly filled with warm water or soapsuds or lye, having an opening at the top and an opening at the upper portion of one side, a door or lid being arranged to cover either of said openings, exposing the other at pleasure. The walls of the side opening preferably project a short distance outward from the side of the receptacle and are covered with padding. The device is preferably mounted upon a horizontal pivot which is supported at the end of a rod, thus enabling the person using the device to move it conveniently from place to place upon the ceiling or wall at any elevation, the weight of the receptacle and contents maintaining themselves automatically in upright position by force of gravity, because the pivotal points of support are located near the top of the receptacle. The lid is pivoted between the top and side openings, and thus movement of a single piece serves to close one opening and open the other.-

In the accompanying drawings, which represent one form of the invention, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the device in use against a ceiling. Fig. 2 represents the same in use against a vertical wall. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section in side elevation, the lid being arranged to cover the top. Fig. 4 represents a front eleveation With the lid arranged as in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a cup or receptacle adapted to hold a liquid and provided with two openings in its upper part for insects to enterone at the top (marked 2) and one at the side, near the top, (marked 3.) The cup is hung pivotally upon a wire or other convenient support 4, which passes horizontally through the sides of the cup at 5 5, near the top thereof, so that by force of gravity the cup automatically takes a position with the opening 2 in horizontal position at its top and the opening 3 in vertical position at one side. The pivot 4 may be supported in any suitable manner, the means here shown consisting of prolongations of the wire by bending the same downward, as at 6 6, on each side of the cup and then bringing the ends together at 7, where they are inserted in a handle or rod 8 of sufficient length to enable the person using the device to reach the ceiling or highest portions of the wall easily by means thereof.

The front face of the cup surrounding the opening 3 preferably projects forward a little, having lips 17, as indicated in the drawings, so that the lips surrounding said opening stand in advance of the remainder of the receptacle-wall. The lips bear a padding 9 to soften their impact against the wall of the room. A similar padding 10 may be placed around the top opening 2. An important feature of the invention consists in the provision of a lid 11, whichis pivoted at 12 at the corner between the top and the front face and can be swung either to the position shown in Fig. 2, in which it closes the top opening, leaving the side open, or to the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the side is closed and the top open. When it covers the top, it is held in position by a spring-latch 13. When it covers the side, it is held by a similar latch 14 shutting down upon the seat 18. (Shown in Fig. 4.)

In operation a suitable quantity of hot water, with soapsuds or lye, is placed in the cup, filling the same nearly to the level of the lowest part of the opening 3. The cup turns on the horizontal pivot 5 and assumes an upright position, whatever may be the angle at which the handle 8 is held. Its use in connection with the ceiling 15 of a room is represented in Fig. 1, and its use against the side 9 wall 16 of a room is represented in Fig. 2. To change from one to the other, it is only necessary to shift the position of the lid. The device is used to entrap an insect which is resting in stationary position upon a wall or ceiling. The user cautiously approaches the insect and pushes the cup against the ceiling or wall, with the padded rim of the opening 2 or the padded lips around opening 3 surrounding the spot where the insect is resting. The insect rises in flight, and there being no other course open enters the cup and falls into the liquid. The padding prevents the jar from disturbing other insects located nearby, and a large number may thus be caught in succession. The said lips are arranged approximately opposite the point of suspension of the cup, so that when the cup is pressed against the wall the pressure is applied firmly and evenly around the edge of the opening 3. The use of these projecting lips prevents the lower parts of the receptacle from coming in contact with the wall, and thus permits the lower portion of the receptacle to be of any desired shape and to be of as large capacity as purposes require.

The device is equally applicable to insects on the side of a house or piazza, not being confined to indoor use, and can also be used on insects on the trunks of trees. In the latter case the front face, surrounding the side opening, may be made slightly curved in shape to fit approximately the surface against which it is to be placed.

I claim 1. In an insect-trap, the combination of a cup having an opening for passage of insects at its top and another at its side, with a lid adapted to close either one of said openings, leaving the other open.

2. In an insecttrap, the combination of a cup having an opening for passage of insects at its top and another at its side; supporting means for the cup from below, the cup being mounted pivotally thereon near the top of the cup and means to close either one of said openings, leaving the other open.

3. In an insect-trap, the combination of a cup having an opening for passage of insects at its top and another at its side; a lid pivoted on the cup between the two openings and adapted to close either one of them.

4. In an insect-trap, a cup having an opening at its side near the top, there being lips projecting outward around said opening, whereby the entrance of the opening is proj ected to a position outside of the wall through which it is out.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. PELTON.

Witnesses:

FLORENCE A. PELToN, CLARENCE M. CHASE. 

